Mary Allen
If the inner layer of the abdominal wall has not closed completely after birth, one speaks of an umbilical hernia in cats. Symptoms depend on how big the gap in the abdominal wall is. You can observe a small umbilical hernia first, but a larger gap requires an operation as soon as possible.
If your cat has a bump at the belly button, it may be an umbilical hernia. Here you can find out exactly what this is, what causes it, and how best to behave if you discover umbilical hernia symptoms in your cat.
What is an Umbilical Hernia in Cats & How Does It Develop?
In the case of an umbilical hernia, a distinction is made between the hernial orifice, the hernial sac, and the contents of the hernia. The hernial orifice denotes a gap in the inner abdominal wall layer. The remaining layers of the abdominal wall push outward through this gap, forming a bulge called a hernial sac. The contents of the hernia collect in the hernial sac, which is mostly tissue. However, if the gap in the inner layer of the abdominal wall is quite large, parts of the intestine can slip through and become trapped, so the blood flow is interrupted at this point.
Umbilical hernias in cats are present from birth in most cases. After a kitten is born, its mother bites off the umbilical cord, and the gap in the abdominal wall layer gradually closes into connective tissue. But sometimes this natural process doesn’t work, leaving the gap and creating an umbilical hernia. Only rarely do adult cats develop a gap in the inner abdominal wall layer. The tendency to have an umbilical hernia is hereditary, and weakness in the connective tissue can also increase the risk of developing it as an adult animal. Triggers can then be, for example, an injury or pregnancy.
Umbilical Hernia in Cats: Symptoms & Course
In the case of an umbilical hernia, the hernial sac can be recognized as a bump on the cat’s belly. Depending on the size of the gap in the inner abdominal wall layer, the extent of the bulge varies between the size of a hazelnut and a walnut and is rarely larger. You may not see umbilical hernias in cats right away because the hernial sac is obscured when lying down or sitting. But the bump is also very easy to feel – it usually feels firm and cannot be displaced. A hanging belly can appear as an accompanying symptom.
A small umbilical hernia can enlarge over time, especially if the affected cat is still growing. If the hernial sac is so large that parts of the intestine are trapped there, symptoms such as loss of appetite, reduced or no defecation, and abdominal pain are noticeable. You can recognize abdominal pain in your cat by the fact that it hunches and assumes a tense posture.
When Should a Cat With an Umbilical Hernia Go to the Vet?
At the latest when the symptoms indicate that the umbilical hernia has grown dangerously, you should take your cat to the vet immediately. As long as the bump is small and your cat is acting normal and alert, all you have to do is observe the umbilical hernia. Can the bulge on the navel be depressed without it appearing to cause pain to your cat? In this case, you can wait. Otherwise, regardless of the size of the bump, it’s time to go to the vet!
Treatment: Hernial Orifice is Closed With Surgery
To fix the umbilical hernia, the vet will need to put your cat under anesthesia and first open the entire abdominal wall. Then it sews up the gap in the inner abdominal wall layer – using self-dissolving threads – and also closes the outer abdominal wall. After six to eight weeks, the stitches on the inner abdominal wall layer have dissolved and the gap has grown together. The outer incision then also healed and the sutures or staples could be removed.
If the umbilical hernia is not causing any symptoms and is relatively small, you can wait until your cat is neutered before having the operation. In the case of female cats, the abdominal wall has to be opened anyway, and then your pet only has to survive the stresses of an anesthetic and an operation once. When male cats are castrated, only the testicles are removed and the stomach remains closed, but a combination of both operations can also be useful here since only an anesthetic is then required.